Dubinski

Main topic: Public hearing on disciplinary charges filed against police officer Renee Dubinski

Why it matters: Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson filed four disciplinary charges against Dubinski last month and is seeking to have her fired. The charges claim she maintained a close, personal relationship with a man who has a reputation for involvement in criminal behavior; lied to investigators about the extent of her relationship with the man; violated a code of ethics requiring honesty; and disobeyed a direct order.

The allegations are department policy violations, not criminal accusations.

Dubinski disputes the charges. She rejected an offer to resign and has been suspended with pay since Sept. 26. Her wages and benefits during the suspension have cost taxpayers nearly $54,000. That cost could have been avoided had the police department not botched the paperwork to extend Dubinski's probationary period after concerns arose.

Wilkinson said the seriousness of the allegations against Dubinski compelled him to file charges. "This is something that strikes at the ability to be trusted on the stand for telling the truth," he said. "That really is critical to the role of a police officer."

Prospect for resolution: The hearing is unfamiliar ground for the five-member Police Commission, which will act as judge and jury to determine whether the charges have merit. Disciplinary charges were filed against six Neenah police officers in 2006, but all of the charges were withdrawn before hearings were held.

Attorneys for Wilkinson and Dubinski have identified 28 prospective witnesses, leading the commission to schedule the hearing for two days.

The commission has yet to rule on a motion filed by Dubinski's attorney that seeks to suppress a Sept. 25 police interrogation of Dubinski and dismiss two charges that stemmed from her answers in that interrogation.

The motion says Dubinski was not properly informed of the nature of the investigation prior to the interrogation as required by law.

- Compiled by Duke Behnke, Post-Crescent Media

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Burning Issue: Neenah Police Commission meetings

What: Neenah Police Commission meetings

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